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Medical Terms

A viral infection that is spread through contact with the saliva from an infected person, sharing utensils is the most common way to catch this contagious disease; symptoms include rash, cough, and fever.

An infection of the fluid of a person's spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. People sometimes refer to it as spinal meningitis. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium is important because the severity of illness and the treatment differ. Characterized by high fever, severe headache, and stiff neck or back muscles. Synonym: brain fever.

A virus that lives in the mouth, nose, and throat can be transmitted when an infected person cough, sneezes, talks, or touches someone else; symptoms include fever, headache, and swollen glands under the jaw.